The streak of record-warm months extends even longer in NOAA’s analysis. In March, it reached 11 straight. When NOAA publishes its April global temperature analysis later this week, the span is likely to grow to 12 – comprising an entire year of record-breaking monthly temperatures.

In April’s second week, the Greenland Ice Sheet experienced its first major melting event, about a month ahead of the previous earliest dates on record. “We had to check that our models were still working properly,” said Peter Langen, a climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute.

The planet’s hot streak has been intensified by one of the strongest El Niño events on record, during which heat from the tropical Pacific Ocean vented into the atmosphere.

But El Niño is now weakening, meaning abnormally warm months — compared with the long-term average — may simply become warm months. In other words, the streak of record warm months should end, although it may take until later this year.

Jason SamenowJason Samenow is The Washington Post’s weather editor and Capital Weather Gang's chief meteorologist. He earned a master's degree in atmospheric science and spent 10 years as a climate change science analyst for the U.S. government. He holds the Digital Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association. Follow